March 2010

March 30, 2010

During the warmer days Presley and I both want a cold snack. Instead of giving her popsicles or Hawaiian ice we have frozen fruit. Presley loves pomegranate seeds and now Trader Joe's sells them frozen. And with them being so small you don't have to worry about them being a choking hazard either.

I on the other hand like frozen blueberries, strawberries and bananas. Those do need to sit for a while other wise they can be too hard to eat. They don't seem to have as much flavor frozen, but it cures the cravings for a cool snack. I imagined I would made smoothies with the fruit and yogurt, but that hasn't happened. It's too easy for me to go to Jamba Juice.

We both eat the frozen fruit with our hands. I think that might be part of the fun for Presley... Another thing I love about this snack is you don't have to worry about the fruit going bad. I just have to remind myself we have it!

March 27, 2010

I had made a decision not to give Presley any fast food for as long as I could avoid it. With the childhood obesity rates so high and a family history of diabetes I didn't want to risk it. Keeping her away food these foods did limit my own intake of these foods so it was a good situation all the way around (sometimes a bummer).

Now that she is a bit older and attending kid parties and activities (or we get busy) we've offered PB&J, chicken nuggets, hot dogs and hamburgers to her and now she doesn't want these foods. When people hear that she doesn't eat these foods the next question is, well what does she eat?

Presley loves hummus and cucumber sandwiches! It's not a super creative lunch but she likes it and it's pretty easy relatively clean. It's been a good snack to travel with to the beach or park. She does like dip carrots in hummus and I assume it's a healthier alternative to ranch dressing...

In the photos above Presley, just wanted to eat the sandwich! She agreed to let me take a picture, I asked her to hold the pita up and take a bite. Yeah, she bit the plate... By the way don't get me wrong, it's not all organic food and salad at our house. Presley would love to eat ketchup for breakfast lunch and dinner. For us it's all about moderation.

March 24, 2010

As a former scrap booker I had thought of doing a year book of Presley each year around her birthday. I had also thought about doing something similar for clients that come to me for birthday photos. I thought it would be a less time consuming (then a scrap book) and easily replicated one as well.

I have to say the book is now down to a photo (another project in limbo). I still love the idea I just don't have the time to get it off the ground... I took these pictures of Presley to day and decided to throw a quick collage together. She just looked so beautiful! I'm sure at a later date I can still put together a book. I'm just not sure how long I'll remember all the details about her during that time, yikes!

March 23, 2010

Wow, it is baby season! I have been very busy with newborn sessions. Tonight I got off to a late start (working on photography stuff) so I had told myself I was not going to edit any photos. But right before heading to bed I decided to check out one of my newborn sessions. After looking at these I had to edit a few, what a cutie pie...

Now looking at these pictures makes me so thankful it's been in the high 70's and mid 80's in Arizona. This session would not have turned out as well had the weather been cooler... This photo was taken between 4:30 or 5:00pm it was very warm outside...

I really enjoy these photos sessions. It was Annie Lebivowitz who said, "When I say I want to photograph someone, what it really means is that I'd like to know them. Anyone I know I photograph." I couldn't agree more. Spending this time with my clients photographing I can't help but feel connected to them. I don't think I look at someone during a conversation the same way I look at them while photographing them.

I guess it makes sense, when I'm behind the camera I'm always looking for the best side of a person... I guess I should try that more often through out my life.

March 17, 2010

I wish I had more time to play around with creative ideas... This is what I was working on tonight... When I took the photos I knew I wanted to do a collection like this. I wanted it to sort of feel like the photos you would get in those photo booths. A quick series of photos, being silly in the moment...

I like the photos, I'm just not sure if the whole thing is too busy... I guess I will sit on it for a day and then take another peek...

March 16, 2010

Here are two photos from two of my sessions from today. I'm trying out a few new things and I'm loving every minute of it. Well honestly I don't like lugging all my stuff around... Recently I've considered doing some studio work. The bonus of a studio, you know your setting, little changes need to be made and you pretty much know what you're dealing with. The problem with location stuff is the exact opposite. I feel I would lose some creativity.

Today I had to drag ladders, chairs, luggage, camera equipment, mirrors, a "nest", a bucket and a few other goodies to more then 6 locations. I didn't use all the props and some of them didn't work. But I had such a great time! I love the fact that the obstacles I face force me to be creative and flexible... I could do with out the weirdos asking to take photos or trying to chat (during my senior session). For now I'll skip the studio, the bonus of living in sunny Arizona... I just wish I had not lost my tripod!

March 15, 2010

Here is a quick link (click on photo above) for all the Mom's out there. I love Sandra Bullock and her acceptance speech was pretty perfect. The last minute of the clip makes me cry every time I watch it... It just reenforces how important a good strong Mommy is.

Here is the words of the clip that make me get all sentimental.

"...Not enough time, so I would like to thank what this film is about for me which are the moms that take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from. Those moms and parents never get thanked. I, in particular, failed to thank one. So... if I can take this moment to thank Helga B. for not letting me ride in cars with boys until I was 18 because she was right. I would've done what she said I was gonna do. For making me practice every day when I got home. Piano, ballet, whatever it is I wanted to be. She said to be an artist, you had to practice every day, and for reminding her daughters that there's no race, no religion, no class system, no color, nothing, no sexual orientation that makes us better than anyone else. We are all deserving of love. So, to that trailblazer, who allowed me to have that (points to her husband)."

March 11, 2010

I decided to check out this movie, A Single Man once I heard Tom Ford was behind it. A man with that great of style had to be great at cinematography. Wow, I LOVE loved the movie! I loved the story, I love the era, I loved the grainy film, the beautiful actors. I honestly can say I loved everything about the movie.

I started paying attention to cinematography after taking a film class in college and it helps me today with my photography. Understanding how to add drama to a photo (or still frame) by just changing your position or perspective is powerful. Good composition will pull you in, this film did that... It's such an amazing thing when another's passion becomes a catalyst for you to excel within your own!

March 08, 2010

When I was a little girl I had this coloring book the family in the book was the Sunshine family. I don't know why but I have always remembered that coloring book... My new clients reminded me of the Sunshine family, they had great energy, so laid back and have the sweetest baby girl... Another reason is we were totally praying for sunshine!

Their house backs up to this beautiful mountain reserve, so we had to step outside for a a few photos. I was a bit worried about getting too far up the mountain (Mom just delivery her lil' bundle a month ago) this photo was just a quick walk from the back yard. I'm so glad we did it because they look beautiful and Cam slept the whole time... I had been wanting to get a few silhouette shots but I couldn't get the sun to work with me. I had such a great time and I'm excited to work on the photos.

March 05, 2010

What a fun birthday three turned out to be. Presley has been talking about her birthday for weeks, if not months now. The two previous birthday have been more of a milestone for us as her parents then anything else. This birthday has been fun seeing her understand the experience more then ever before.

We did the annual birthday dinner at House of Tricks (amazing as usual). Dinner was a bit more tricky because after all she is three! Her birthday gift from Mom and Dad was her bed so she didn't have any gifts to open. But I made sure to get a candle and order a cake because it's one ritual that will not take place at her party on Saturday. I think that (so far) has been my favorite part. When we sing happy birthday (we sang several times tonight) she has this sweet giddy smile and tilts her head, oh it's too cute!